Restoring a neglected 'secret garden'

April 27, 2012 │ New York

Deutsche Bank volunteers from Global Transaction Banking (GTB) recently completed major improvements to a small but treasured green space in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. The finished work helped lay the path – literally – for residents to realize their vision of bringing a new community garden to an area notably lacking in environmental infrastructure.

The modest piece of land, known as “Alice’s Garden,” was tended to for decades by its namesake, a beloved resident of the neighborhood. After her death in 2010, the Port Authority-owned space was locked to the public and has been inaccessible ever since. In an effort to reclaim and restore the garden, the local neighborhood association, housing organization and state senator’s office have collaborated to assume management of the plot and reopen it for the community’s enjoyment.

The Deutsche volunteers completed installation of a brick path running the full length of the garden. Besides beautifying the space, the path will provide accessibility for visitors when Alice’s Garden opens to the public.The project was organized by the nonprofit Citizens Committee for New York City, an organization that provides grants, workshops and planning assistance to community-led improvement projects in underserved neighborhoods throughout the city.

“The volunteers’ work has made the garden more accessible for the dozens of community gardeners who will use this beloved Hell’s Kitchen garden,” said Citizens Committee project coordinator Joseph Eastman. “[Deutsche Bank’s support] goes a long way towards helping grassroots community groups like Alice’s Garden improve the quality of life of their neighborhoods.”

For more information about Citizens Committee for New York City, please visit here.